Man faces charges after NH police pursuit, standoff

A man was taken into custody following a police pursuit on the New Hampshire seacoast that ended in a multi-hour standoff on Saturday night.

New Hampshire State Police said they received information on Saturday to be on the lookout for a Dodge Ram 3500 in connection with an ongoing investigation in Belmont, which is just south of the Lakes Region.

Around 9:42 p.m., state police learned Strafford police had located the vehicle and was attempting to stop it in their town. However, the driver failed to stop and a police pursuit was initiated.

State police responded to the area and assumed command of the pursuit. The driver of the Dodge traveled through multiple communities, including Somersworth, where a passenger who is a minor was let out of the vehicle. The passenger was not injured in the pursuit and was brought by police to a family member while the pursuit continued.

Tire deflation devices were deployed multiple times before the Dodge ultimately stopped on Route 4 in Durham. The driver refused to get out of the vehicle, so the road was shut down and a standoff ensued as state police troopers negotiated with the driver.

Ultimately, the driver, identified by police as 55-year-old Scott E. Newcomb, of Belmont, got out of the vehicle and was taken into custody. He was later released to Belmont police in connection with their investigation.

Newcomb will be charged by state police with kidnapping, reckless conduct and disobeying an officer in connection with the pursuit and standoff. His court date is still pending.

Officers from five local police departments and the Durham Fire Department and McGregor Memorial EMS assisted state police with the incident.